Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves ballpark agreement with Baseball by the Beach after questions on term and insurance
Summary
The Old Orchard Beach Town Council approved a five-year agreement with Baseball by the Beach Inc. to make the town ballpark the league's home field, with a $13,000 annual user fee and per‑game charges; councilors pressed staff about insurance, vendor approval and whether a five‑year term exceeds council authority.
The Old Orchard Beach Town Council voted 4-0 on March 17 to approve a use agreement with Baseball by the Beach Inc., authorizing the amateur league to make the town ballpark its home facility beginning March 18, 2026.
Jason Weber, the town's recreation director, said the league would bring four teams that play only at Old Orchard Beach and that the schedule is roughly 50 games a year, about 25 of which will be public. He said the agreement calls for a nonrefundable annual user fee of $13,000 (with $1,000 annual increases thereafter) and a per-game fee of $600 for daytime contests and $650 for nighttime games. "They want to make Old Orchard Beach a home," Weber said, adding the league is seeking to develop players into higher levels of play.
The agreement preserves town scheduling control, Weber said, and spells out revenue arrangements: the town will retain concession alcohol revenue and receive 30% of sponsorship income. Weber described a $300 concession guarantee to cover staffing when attendance is low: "That $300 covers us so I don't lose money because they had a baseball game," he said.
Councilors asked detailed questions about public/nonpublic games, adult leagues and insurance. One councilor pressed whether the council had authority to approve a five-year term and noted a rule he understood limiting ballpark agreements to three years. Town staff said the league was willing to accept a shorter term if required, and that legal had reviewed the contract. The motion to approve carried 4-0.
The council also discussed vendor approval and insurance for third‑party food trucks and concessions. Staff said contracted vendors must be preapproved and insured, and that the town would not relinquish control over alcohol sales. Weber said the league had been cooperative about scheduling and that existing summer events and concerts would not be displaced.
Next steps: the manager was authorized to finalize and sign the agreement and staff will follow up on any contract housekeeping changes requested during council discussion.
